Sport

Paraplegic after a 2024 fall, Saffron Cresswell qualifies for the Canoeing World Championships

Herz — Sport Desk · 26 August 2026 at 07:13 · 30s summary · 3 min read

The essentials

British rider Saffron Cresswell, 25, became paraplegic after a fall on June 8, 2024, during the Bramham Horse Trials in West Yorkshire. Previously an elite eventer and British representative with medals at three European championships, she managed up to 25 horses from age 15. Following a T4 spine fracture and four months of hospitalization at Leeds General Infirmary, she retrained as an equestrian coach. In a remarkable turnaround, just eight months after her first paddling session, she qualified for the Canoeing World Championships in August 2026.

Qualified for the Canoeing World Championships 8 months after her first paddling session
Became paraplegic after falling from her horse at Bramham Horse Trials on June 8, 2024
Former British eventing representative, medalled at 3 European championships
T4 spine fracture requiring emergency surgery and 4 months of hospitalization
All horses sold; retrained as an equestrian coach and competitive paddler

What we know

In August 2026, British rider Saffron Cresswell, 25, secured her qualification for the Canoeing World Championships — just eight months after holding a paddle for the first time, according to the BBC.

Two years earlier, on June 8, 2024, a fall at the Bramham Horse Trials — an equestrian competition held at Bramham Park, an 18th-century estate in West Yorkshire, England — had left her paraplegic.

The accident of June 8, 2024

Cresswell was competing in the cross-country phase in the under-25 category. Cross-country is one of three events in eventing, a sport that combines dressage, show jumping, and a cross-country course over fixed obstacles. With three obstacles left to the finish, she fell from her horse Vivendi Hero.

Landing on the back of her neck, she fractured her spine at the T4 level — the fourth thoracic vertebra. She instantly lost all sensation in her legs, though she remained conscious.

Transported by ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary in 45 minutes, she underwent emergency surgery. She was then hospitalized for four months before returning home to Worcestershire.

An equestrian journey built from childhood

Cresswell began riding at age 3 and got serious about eventing at 13. She represented Great Britain at three European championships, winning one team gold medal and two team silver medals.

From age 15, she ran a business managing up to 25 horses and was considered a rising star bound for the Olympic Games.

Her parents had sold their home to finance the purchase of an equestrian center. The family lived for six years in two small caravans before converting part of a barn into living quarters.

Reconversion after the accident

Since the accident, Cresswell has not ridden again and does not plan to. All the horses from the family business have been sold. She has retrained as an equestrian coach.

She then discovered canoeing. Eight months after her first paddling session, she secured her World Championships qualification in the sport.

Frequently asked questions

How did Saffron Cresswell become paraplegic?

She fell from her horse on June 8, 2024, at the Bramham Horse Trials in West Yorkshire. The fall fractured her spine at the T4 level (the fourth thoracic vertebra), causing her to instantly lose sensation in her legs.

What is eventing?

It is an equestrian sport combining three events: dressage, show jumping, and cross-country over fixed outdoor obstacles. It is often called the 'equestrian triathlon' and tests both horse and rider across multiple disciplines.